Top 10 Best VSTs in 2025

VSTs, or Virtual Studio Technology, were developed to meet the growing demand for digital tools for music production. Before VST, every effect and synthesizer was an analog device. However, physical devices take up space and require specific knowledge to use. This created a barrier to entry for music producers, one that was easily overcome when computers became more widespread. VSTs are downloadable synthesizers and effects plugins that can be used in Digital Audio Workstations, or DAWs. Digital synths and effects do not take up any physical space, so it is easier to build a large collection. They also tend to cost significantly less than hardware.

1: Xfer Serum 2

Serum 2 (xferrecords.com)

Xfer’s flagship wavetable synthesizer, Serum, recently received a surprise second edition. This upgrade turned an already powerful synth into a full production powerhouse. The current version of Serum 2 comes with three oscillators, a sub oscillator, a noise oscillator, two series filters, three envelopes and LFOs, twelve unique effects, and the ability to modulate nearly every parameter within the synth. The oscillators can be toggled between wavetable, multisampler, granular, and spectral synthesis modes. It features an arpeggiator, which, when opened, turns the synth into a DAW of its own, boasting different pattern selections and a piano roll. It is priced at $249. While pricey for some producers, Xfer offers a rent-to-own option at $9.99 a month. 

2: Roland ZENOLOGY Pro

ZENOLOGY Pro (sweetwater.com)

Roland’s ZENOLOGY Pro is a digital PCM and wavetable synthesizer. It ships with thousands of sounds and is powered by Zen Core, a powerful synth engine that controlled some of the most important synths of all time, like the Roland Fantom and the JUPITER – X. ZENOLOGY Pro comes with 4 partials, or oscillator waves, and dual LFOS for each. The parameters are easy to edit for beginner producers, but also powerful enough for deeper sound design sessions. I like using ZENOLOGY Pro because it is an industry-standard plugin, and it is utilized in many songs that I listen to. The full version of ZENOLOGY Pro is highly priced, at around $229, but you can obtain a free copy from the Roland Cloud store.

3: Fabfilter Bundle

Fabfilter Bundle (sweetwater.com)

Fabfilter’s Bundle is a collection of effects plugins from Fabfilter that introduce a multiband aspect to effects that typically don’t have one. Fabfilter’s Bundle contains Pro-Q 4, Pro-R, Pro-L 2, Pro-C 2, Pro-MB, Pro-DS, Pro-G, Saturn 2, Timeless 3, Volcano 3, Twin 3, One, Micro, and Simplon. Out of these plugins, there are multiband reverbs, compressors, equalizers, filters, saturators, and more. Some of my go-to plugins include FabFilter plugins because each effect sounds unique, yet cohesive. Unfortunately, the bundle comes at a staggering price of $1069, however, depending on the plugin, you can buy each individually for anywhere from $35 to $199.

4: CableGuys Shaperbox 3

Shaperbox 3 (cloudfront.net)

Shaperbox 3 by CableGuys is an effect suite similar to Fabfilter’s Bundle. However, where Fabfilter utilizes multiband to make their plugins more unique, Shaperbox introduces a time function. Shaperbox consists of 11 “shapers,” which are LFO-based effects. The current shapers are Pitch, Reverb, Time, Drive, Noise, Liquid, Filter, Crush, Volume, Pan, and Width. Shaperbox also contains a built-in compressor/limiter in case the effect chain causes audio peaks. This plugin allows for complete control over how much of each effect is applied over time through its LFOs. This can be extremely useful for important aspects of production, like sidechain and automation. I use Shaperbox because I can access many of my favorite effects using just one plugin. I also like how certain Shaperbox presets completely change a sound I’m working with into something new, the perfect tool for writer’s block. Shaperbox 3 is currently available at a very reasonable price of $89.

5: u-He Hive 2

Hive 2 (u-he.com)

u-He’s Hive 2 is a classic oscillator and wavetable-based synthesizer. It has two oscillators, two sub-oscillators, filters, seven on-board effects, and an arpeggiator. It has two LFOs and a modulation matrix for easier control over the entire synth. Hive 2 is already a strong synth, but where it shines is in its preset potential. The stock sound preset patches are some of the most unique and versatile sounds I have played, capable of being used in a variety of genres. The community has many famous preset banks for purchase as well. Hive 2 comes at $175, which is well worth it for such a flexible synth.

6: Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Omnisphere (spectrasonics.net)

Omnisphere is an incredible powerhouse synthesizer that contains thousands of real samples and a powerful wavetable option. This synth is a go-to for many sound designers, film scorers, and producers alike. Its combination of multisample synthesis and physical modeling enables this synth to sound more realistic than any other synth I’ve used. The stock presets are all powerful, each individually crafted based on a sample. Omnisphere doesn’t fit my music style, so I don’t end up using it all that often, but when I need more realistic sounds, it becomes my first option. Its drawback is that it comes at a high price of $499.

7: Arturia Analog Lab V

Analog Lav V (sweetwater.com)

Analog Lab V by Arturia is a synth built to emulate many of the foundational early analog synthesizers. Analog Lab contains thousands of classic synth presets from famous hardware, and hundreds of unique modern ones. Since all of the early synthesizers were analog, this synth can perfectly fit into any genre you can throw at it. This synth is perfect for preset users, but sound designers may find it lacking. Each preset only comes with a few macros to tweak it; to actually edit the sounds, you must first own the digital synth model that it comes from. I enjoy using Analog Lab because it has all the warmth of analog synthesizers from the click of a mouse. Analog Lab V is available from Arturia at a price of $199.

8: Vital Audio Vital

Vital (vital.com)

Vital is a relatively new synth on the market, which is creating a lot of noise. It is incredibly powerful, boasting the same specifications as Serum 2, minus a couple of effects. The twist for Vital, however, is that it is completely free. Using Vital over Serum 2 has been a topic of frequent debate recently, and the decision largely comes down to personal preference. Small differences exist, such as the unison option, which contains more voices and generally sounds wider. I use Vital more for supersaw-style sounds because I find that it sounds warmer and brighter. I would still prefer Serum 2, though, due to its versatile effects and various oscillator modes. As mentioned previously, the synth is completely free, but there are many preset packs available at a low cost.

9: Surge Synth Team Surge XT 

Surge XT (github.io)

Surge XT is an open-source VST, meaning anybody can contribute to the code of the project. It features three wavetable oscillators with dual architecture enabling up to six in use, two filters, two LFOs, and other common wavetable synth functions. It is capable of modern control functions such as multi-polyphonic expression and microtuning. Surge XT contains versatile effects and hundreds of built-in presets. It is also free since it is open source. I use Surge XT specifically for its unique presets. They sound like famous old FM synthesizers like FM8, but are completely free.

10: u-He Diva

Diva (u-he.com)

Diva is another plugin by u-He. It is another analog model synth, but it doesn’t try to emulate any specific one. Its oscillators feature semi-modular-based synthesis, allowing you to swap out any oscillator. It also comes with filters modeled after old analog filters. Diva contains a solid stock preset bank, but you may find yourself looking for more presets quickly because there aren’t a lot. It is overall a strong digital counterpart to an analog synthesizer. It costs $210, more than its older brother synth Hive, but it’s worth the price for versatility and warm analog sound.

Featured Picture: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0993/3800/files/top30vstplugins2022_1024x1024_4284bcbd-33a4-41ee-ad47-f397634879c2_1024x1024.png?v=1702808772

Serum 2: https://xferrecords.com/assets/products-large/serum2_promo-3a72f21c8e6c81f5c65d1949cf6cd846cc793ad00def69d9ca18f46614f98778.png

ZENOLOGY: https://media.sweetwater.com/m/products/image/150ffaec53JcxtivLiQjxiG0X2FTYr6BPvUBPnj4.png?quality=82&width=750&ha=150ffaec5399a762

FabFilter: https://media.sweetwater.com/m/products/image/b652e6e1f8XTkBF9GFhkUvnk67cZW7AI5zJKszSO.jpg?quality=82&height=750&ha=b652e6e1f8620c4e

Cableguys Shaperbox: https://dt7v1i9vyp3mf.cloudfront.net/styles/news_large/s3/imagelibrary/c/cableguys_shaperbox3_01-3Bdu7X4gaWwA3fIRu9qvQLMNgDQSKEw5.jpg

Hive 2: https://u-he.com/products/hive/assets/images/uhe-hive2-screenshot-fullui.jpg

Omnisphere: https://cdn.spectrasonics.net/website/sps/products/V3-Interface-Tour/O3-interface-01v2.jpg

Analog Lab: https://media.sweetwater.com/m/products/image/4b44202f3cXkKbd5h01zAwpcj6JUMawgwGwoK2EE.png?quality=82&width=750&ha=4b44202f3c68707e

Vital: https://vital.audio/images/vital_screenshot_1080.png

Surge XT: https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/images/manual-xt/Pictures/surge.png

Diva: https://u-he.com/products/diva/assets/images/uhe-diva-screenshot-fullui-1150×642.jpg